Trailer Watch: A Walk Among the Tombstones

Is it the most original concept? Not really. Does it appear to have many cliches? Definitely. Does Liam Neeson look badass? Bet your bucket he does. Will I see this movie? Damn right.

(Late)NB of the Week

-WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T EAT THE SPOILIN' CANDY-

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #13

Written by Dan Abnett
Drawn by Pop Mhan

The world of He-Man continues to expand it's mythology as we go back a thousand years from our present story to the time Hordak lost his battle for Eternia and was banished. During the celebratory feast, we meat Adi, a trusted elder to Grayskull, member of the Gars race (where Sy-Klone is from). Shortly after, Adi overhears Grayskull's wife tell him of a prophecy. Two children of his shall fight each other for control of the realm. Adi will not have Grayskull tear the kingdom apart and sets into motion his plan. Saryn, hand maiden to Grayskull, is also a Gar and is Adi's secret weapon. She has served the King for long and has her hesitations. He has been as a father to her over the years but she is being pulled and feels she must serve her people more. As the warriors from Anwat-Gar strike from the outside, Grayskull is surprised as his body stops responding. Saryn apologizes first. She has poisoned his wine to stop him and pulls a cursed blade to finish the job. Tears flow as she begs him to not look at her but he does not give her the request. She slices the blade across his neck, falls to her knees and weeps at the feet of the slain king. "The darkest night of all. One thousand years ago."
When DC announced a new Masters title from writer James Robinson and Philip Tan, I was very happy. Great talent on a title I love to read (good or bad). Then both men left the book and new names took over. A little surprisingly, the book has gotten better. And here we are, a year and a half later, with a new writer and it keeps growing. Dan Abnett (half of the DnA writing team) doesn't always have the most fluid story telling but his storylines have been amazing. DC has made a He-Man book worthy of the name and I can't wait to see how She-Ra is brought in (as She-Ra, since Adora is already there).

Bran Tunes

Pitbull Terrier by Die Antwoord
Yeah. They're back and just as awesome/weird/messed up as ever. Which is probably part of why Neil Blomkamp has put them in his next movie, Chappie.
And as with they're other songs, EXPLICIT LANGUAGE FOLLOWS.

NB of the Week

-BY THE POWER OF TRUTH, I, WHILE LIVING, HAVE CONQUERED THE SPOILS-

Forever Evil #7
Written by Geoff Johns
Drawn by David Finch

In case you haven't been on the know, Forever Evil is the long built, often delayed event mini that DC has been trying to tell for a while now (it's prelude story was last summer). Here's the lead in: After the big mystery about Pandora and her "box", turns out it was a key to another dimension which lead to the introduction of the New 52's Crime Syndicate. After vanishing all the heroes (sans Batman, of course), it began to fall on the villains to fight for their world. Blood was shed, feelings were hurt and in the end the good guys won. But here's why it still got my pick:
DC wasn't afraid to try for big changes.
At the end of the series, Nightwing is "dead" (only a handful know that he's not really dead) and Dick Grayson is becoming a super spy. The big baddie that destroyed the Syndicate's Earth 3 wasn't Darkseid as we all thought but the Anti-Monitor (making he's/it's New 52 debut as well). Lex Luthor has realized that to protect his world, Superman is no longer the only concern, not only saving Superman's life personally but becoming a member of the Justice League after all this. Why would a character like Batman not only allow this but to serve beside him? Because Luthor showed his smarts and has figured out that Bruce Wayne is Batman. At least, I assume that'll be a big reason why it's allowed. We haven't seen that part yet.
The story wasn't all that original. It certainly wasn't the greatest thing Johns has written. It's delays took away from the overall story. And it was still awesome. I give DC a lot of credit for this story. What they've changed may not be too surprising of ideas nor do I think they will be the longest lasting of effects but this is an age where comic events don't take many risks. They occur one after the other and mostly leave no long term anythings. So this may not last and it may not seem too original but they stuck to it, made their changes and I very much applaud the effort. Some good stories could come from this and I hope it pans out for them. Because they don't have much else to fall on.

Trailer Watch: Kingsman - The Secret Service

Mark Millar's comics are all essentially written by Hollywood standards so it should be no surprise that another of his is now a movie (it'll be the fourth with pretty much every other one in development). This one is about a young Brit who is full of potential but is instead a hooligan so it's up to another gentleman (his uncle in the comic) to help him see said potential by way of killing. The comic is one of Millar's more bland stories and this one also looks to be such. However, it was a very fun and entertaining read and the movie also looks to have that factor. I'm optimistic but so far I'm not expecting anything brilliant.

NB of the Week

Lock up the priests

And hide from the nuns,

It's about to get naughty

Cuz here come the runs.

Astro City #12

When living in Astro City, it's easy to fall over a line: either to being a hero or being the villain. For Ned, once the choice of being a villain came about, he knew it was the life for him. But when he finally falls for the girl of his dreams, is getting out of the life as easy as he hopes? Busiek continues his amazing run on what has always been an amazing series. If you've never read an Astro City, it's never too late.

Justice League United #1

After a great first issue with #0 (essentially giving 'em two first issues), this issue is a little slower as we move into story set-up. Adam Strange gets his space suit, the new League gets it's first victory (sort of) and Lobo wins against Hawkman. Proving the new, pretty Lobo is one bad mother shut yo mouth.

New Avengers #18

The Illuminati prepares to face the other "them" that they've been watching. But lets skip the story and just marvel (no pun intended) at how Hickman has essentially written 18 issues of the same plot and made every single issue relevant and interesting. A feat that seems impossible when said aloud.

Avengers #29

In Hickman's other Avenger title, we fall under the Original Sin banner after Captain America remembers that not only have the Illuminati reformed but that after standing against their decision to possibly destroy other Earths (as seen in New Avengers), they wiped his memory. Cap and the other Avengers don't like being used and the issue ends with a big fight. Again. It's much cooler than it sounds even if we've kind of already read this before.

All-New Ultimates #2

The new, young Ultimates win their fight with the Serpents but at a price. Death and poison rock them all as they all suffer from.... well, being poisoned. Fiffe is a new writer to me and while I'm enjoying his plot so far, it's not the most cohesive writing. It reads like a very artsy Indie book so far and that's not an easy transition for me on characters that have never been written that way.

Captain America #20

Cap is able to burst out of Mindbubble's bubble and defeats him rather easy (bending the valve coming from his head apparently floods his own mind with those bubbles). However, the final battle with the Iron Nail has just began as we get the conclusion next issue. Remender has done some great writing with this title and I'm excited to see whatever he decides to bring in next.

Starlight #3

Duke McQueen returns to Tantalus to find that everybody has essentially become slaves to a dictatorship. After seeing a "police mugging", Duke steps in and causes trouble. Killing the evil powers that are keeping the man down. It doesn't last too long, though, as McQueen is old and can't quite get away like he used to. Good thing there's a resistance that seems to be lead by a very female looking Han Solo type character who wants to rescue him.

Trailer Watch: Constantine

I have never read any of the Hellblazer comics. Ever. I've not even read any of the current Constantine series. However, as a fan, I feel obligated to try all things comic related at least once. I enjoyed the Keanu Reeves movie quite a bit so a tv series isn't too far of a stretch. It looks to have it's share of cheese but I'll give it a go for an episode or two.

Brain Tunes

Five Finder Death Punch - Never Enough
FFDP may not have the deepest meaning behind their lyrics, especially the early stuff but dammit all if I can't crank my stereo and rock out to most every song.
Also, don't hold the video against me. I didn't make it.

NB of the Week

Roses are Red,

Violets are Blue,

I've got the Runs,

Now I give them to You.

Iron Fist: the Living Weapon #2

This issue seemingly had a lot but in recapping it, maybe not so much. Back in K'un Lun, Davos' sister (whom I apparently don't even remember) is attacked by the same kinda robot/ninja Danny was attacked by only Davos is with them. We then see their leader attack Shou-Lao who seemingly recognizes him. Back on Earth, Danny makes his way to the portal to K'un Lun, recalling some more of his past. But when he finally makes it there, he finds nothing but death and destruction. Somebody sure as shit is gonna pay.

Original Sin #1 (of 8)

Marvel kicks off their next "event" to a quiet success. Somebody has killed the Watcher and taken his eyes. Fury Sr is leading the group in trying to find out who could have done it though nothing is given up in this first issue. However, a mystery figure (at least I don't know who it is. Maybe it was revealed in interviews or such) is putting their own team together: Ant-Man (Lang), Emma Frost, Punisher, Dr Strange, Moon Knight, Winter Soldier and Gamora. Lots of mystery and intrigue and I'm so far excited to see what's really going on.

Fatale #22

We learn the "history" of our villain, Mr Bishop. Essentially he's done a lot of bad things in order help his Gods take over, including killing and hanging lots of babies from a tree (yes, you read that right and it was just as disturbing as you'd think). Pretty much back-story in this one with not much progress as Brubaker prepares the title for is likely amazing ending.

Miles Morales: the Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (say that ten time fast)

Lots of things going down as Miles gets his new title along with the other Ultimate-verse launches. First, we find that Norman Osborn is still alive and in captivity (we never did see what happened to him). Only not for long as he soon breaks free (of course). Meanwhile, two other baddies in Spider-like suits are spreading havoc but nothing much else. Over to Miles, he fights with the idea of revealing his identity to his girlfriend and seeks the advice of Mary Jane (who pretty much says nothing new. It was great but he'd better be prepared to have her around through good and bad). Miles then heads home hoping to finally find his father only he finds a bigger mystery instead: Peter Parker. What the who?!

All-New X-Factor #7

A young lady is broadcasting a video (as young people do) when her father storms in and has his "henchman" shoot her computer. Looks like a job for X-Factor. Turns out that the father is Scott Dakei, avid mutant hater. Without corporate permission, Factor goes to possibly extract the young lady from harm. What they find id a bit baffling: the girl is perfectly happy, doesn't want to leave and in fact wants the autographs of real life mutants. When Cypher tries to get a little more physical in order to take her, she reveals a little secret of her own: she's a mutant who can seemly drain the life from people. Cypher is left a dried out husk on the floor. Oops.

Savage Wolverine #18

In what is probably the second weakest story so far, Wolverine gets stuck in a race-war between the white hicks (naturally) and some Mexicans. However, things turn sour for all when news of Kennedy's assassination come out. By the way, this was in the past. The end.

Earth 2 #23

Lots of cool action with not as much story. After Clark is reunited with Lois, she is able to distract him enough to leave Val alone. Alan returns as Green Lantern and takes him to safety but not for too long. Clark has left with Lois to the Kent farm and as Lois tries to figure things out with Ma and Pa and Clark, Clark orders the strike on the Batcave. We're left with the cave exploding and most of the heroes seemingly still in it. I'm cure most will be ok.

(Late) NB of the Week

With some busy hours coming at work, the small batch this week is a little late. Good thing there wasn't much. As it stands, I hand over the Runs...

Avengers #28
In what should really have been called  New Avengers 16.5, Jonathan Hickman uses the other-dimensional  Avengers to remind us that when he's not a Green counterpart, Banner is too damn smart to be stumped. After putting two and two together, Banner calls out Stark for having put the Illuminati back together. To silence things (and the OD Hulk), they stage a Hulk berserk and send OD Banner to jail while regular Marvel Banner is brought into the arms of the other Illuminati. Which also leads into...

New Avengers #17
Panther and Namor continue to watch the Avengers (called the Great Society) of Earth 4,290,001 as they defeat an incurusion only to find another coming. They continue to fight even if it means to the death. As Panther and Namor banter, Panther sees an alarming sight: themselves two hours in the future confronting the Great Society. Guess we know which worlds are colliding soon enough.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #12
As the other Masters try their best to get past the Snakemen and save Adam, King Hssss plans on casting him into the Star Seed in order to free himself and his following. As Teela has Stratos fly her to the front so she may try and stop it all. Unfortunately it only gets her sent into the Star Seed, which turns out isn't really a bad thing. The power of the Sorceress finds her and transfers power to her. As the new Sorceress, Teela is able to stop the Snakemen and get them out. Teela's changed, King Randor is dead (possibly for a while now) and Hordak is still taking over. Things don't look so great for He-Man and his Masters.

Uncanny Avengers Annual #1
Say "Hello" to the Supernatural Avengers, Mojoverse's newest tv sensation team. Comprised of Manphibian, Doctor Strange, Man-Thing, Ghost Rider, Blade and Satana, it's up to them to stop the Uncanny Avengers in a twisted game of Mojo Cat & Mouse. This issue didn't so anything for the regular UA series but it was still written by Rick Remender and was a lot of fun to read. Most Annuals are completely pointless now-a-days so it was refreshing to read one that was just plain fun.